Rockford, Ill., – Robert Lupton, Ph.D., author and founder of FCS Ministries will speak at the University as part of the Fall 2014 Forum Series, as well has be the featured guest for a luncheon and dialogue hosted by the University’s Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence (NINCE) in partnership with United Way of Rock River Valley.

Both events will further explore Dr. Lupton’s latest book, “Toxic Charity – How churches and charities hurt those they help (and how to reverse it).” The Forum Series lecture takes place on Monday, Sept. 22, 7 p.m., in Fisher Memorial Chapel on the Rockford University Campus, 5050 East State Street. Space is limited and tickets are required. Contact the University box office at boxoffice@rockford.edu or 815.226.4100.

On Tuesday, Sept. 23, Dr. Lupton will be the featured speaker for a luncheon and program, followed by an exclusive dialogue with Dr. Lupton. The program will be held from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., at Giovanni’s Restaurant and Convention Center, 610 North Bell School Road, Rockford. Cost is $50 per person/$350 per table of eight. The dialogue with Dr. Lupton follows from 1 – 3:30 p.m.. Cost is $50 per person. For reservations contact NICNE at 815.394.4384 or kream@rockford.edu.

More about Dr. Robert Lupton:

Robert Lupton, Ph.D., has invested over 40 years of his life in inner-city Atlanta. In response to a call that he first felt while serving in Vietnam, he left a budding business career to work with delinquent urban youth. Dr. Lupton and his family sold their suburban home and moved into the inner-city where they have lived and served as neighbors among those in need. As an entrepreneur and Christian community developer he brings together communities of resource with communities of need. Since founding the non-profit organization FCS Urban Ministries he has developed two mixed income subdivisions, organized a multi-racial congregation, started a number of businesses, created housing for hundreds of families and initiated a wide range of human services in his community. Bob is the author of five books and a monthly circulation. He will be speaking about his newest book, Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help (And How to Reverse It.)

Rockford University Trustee and Woodward CEO Tom Gendron ’88 who is spearheading the Transform Rockford initiative put Toxic Charity on the Transform Rockford reading list. Toxic Charity examines how churches and charities hurt the people they are trying to help through what Lupton calls, “One Way Giving.”

Forum Series 2014

*Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence

*As of January 1, 2015, to reflect NICNE’s expansive programming and home within the Rockford University College of Social Sciences, Commerce and Education, NICNE will become the Rockford University Center for Nonprofit Excellence (RUCNE).

September 3, 2014

Rockford University is pleased to be a sponsor of the upcoming Firefighter 2014 Battle on Saturday, September 13 to benefit the American Red Cross.

The annual event will take place at parking lot A on the University campus, 5050 East State Street, Rockford, and begins at 9 a.m. with the first course starting at 10 a.m.

This is a free family event to support the American Red Cross. The battle tests the skills and stamina of local firefighters as they battle through a competitive course of obstacles.

Other event sponsors include the Rockford Park District, OSF Healthcare, SwedishAmerican Health System and WTVO/FOX Eyewitness News.

Rockford, Ill., – The 2013-2014 Rockford University academic year will formally begin with the President’s Opening Convocation on Friday, August 21, at 12 p.m., Maddox Theatre in the Rockford University Clark Arts Center, 5050 East State Street, Rockford. The formal opening convocation event has been

held annually since 1851. This event includes an academic procession of faculty in traditional robes depicting their rank, with stoles representing their respective alma maters and degrees. Remarks at the event will be given by President Robert L. Head, Ph.D.

The Opening Convocation is also marks the start of the University’s Fall Forum Series. The event is free and open to the public however tickets are required. Clark Arts Center is accessible. For more information, contact the Rockford University Box Office at 815-226-4100.

To see the entire Fall 2014 series line-up visit:
https://www.rockford.edu/? ForumSeries

Rockford, Ill. — Denise Noe has joined Rockford University as Assistant Vice President for Institutional Advancement. Ms. Noe will support the ongoing identification, cultivation and stewardship of gifts from individuals, foundations and corporations, as well as provide oversight for the Advancement areas of the University.

Ms. Noe has an extensive background in fundraising and development including major gift coordination, capital campaign management, endowments, annual appeals, grant submissions, donor recognition and stewardship. She most recently served as the Director of Development – Major Gifts at the University of Illinois College Of Medicine at Rockford. Prior to her work at the College of Medicine, Ms. Noe served in several roles at the Janet Wattles Center in development, marketing, and clinical services.

The Assistant Vice President for Institutional Advancement will further support comprehensive efforts to advance the University’s growing development platform. The Institutional Advancement division, led by Vice President Bern Sundstedt ’77, houses the development, alumni, marketing, communications, scheduling and print services of the institution.

Rockford, Ill., – There is still time to enroll for fall courses at Rockford University. Classes begin Wednesday, August 20. Rockford University is a four-year, co-educational institution offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in traditional liberal arts and professional fields. The University offers approximately 80 areas of study and provides diverse programming for students in all levels of education including undergraduate (bachelor’s degree), graduate (master’s level), transfer students and adult accelerated degree completion in management studies (BSMS). Rockford University is also a participant in the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program for veterans.

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) programs allow students to take up to four courses before formally enrolling in the program and offer flexible options for working adults. The MAT program offers several certifications and endorsements in areas like special education, reading specialist, instructional strategies and bi-lingual education. There is also a variety of options available to degreed professionals who may wish to enter the teaching profession. The Master of Business Administration (MBA) program covers a variety of functional areas including as accounting, economics, finance, management and marketing. Students can choose a concentration in disciplines such as MBA/CPA, public and not-for-profit management, entrepreneurship or management.

Contact the Rockford University Office of Admission at 815-226-4050 or 800-892-2984 for more information about applying for undergraduate classes. You may also apply online by visiting www.rockford.edu and clicking on the homepage “Apply Now” button

Contact the Rockford University Graduate Office at 815-226-4040 today if interested in MBA or MAT courses.

Visit www.rockford.edu for more information.

Press Conference;
Monday, July 1, 2013, 10 a.m.
5050 East State Street, Rockford

Rockford, Ill., – Please join President Robert L. Head, Ph.D., Board of Trustees Chair Charles Colman, special guest Mayor Larry Morrissey, and members of the Rockford College Board of Trustees for a press conference to announce the official transition of Rockford College to Rockford University on Monday, July 1, 2013 at 10 a.m.

Rockford University continues to serve as Rockford’s only four-year degree granting residential institution. Throughout its history, the institution has retained a core commitment to an independent, not-for-profit administrative and academic structure. Concluding its seventh consecutive year with positive operating income and solid enrollment growth, the institution is firmly positioned to invest in its future and openly champion the importance of transforming lives through an education grounded in liberal arts learning. Additional details on how the University plans to accomplish this work will be shared.

Granted its charter in 1847 as Rockford Female Seminary, the institution established for the rugged and newly settled region a priority of providing educational opportunities for young women, something more commonly only afforded to men. One of only 10 such institutions of learning exclusively for women in the United States at the time, those forward thinking individuals understood that education would give rise to a more attractive place to locate, raise families, and grow businesses.

As Seminary gave rise to College, and as College is now lifted to University, the core-value proposition remains the same. It is seen now through the hopes and aspirations of its students and evidenced by the successes of Rockford College alumni around the world.

The press conference will take place at the main entrance to the University at 5050 East State Street. Parking for media representatives is available at Rockford College’s 5100 East State Street building, directly to the east of the conference site.

Contact: Director of Communications 815-226-3374

For immediate release – 11/15/12
Director of Communications Rita Elliott, 815-226-3374

Rockford, Ill., – Rockford College will host the final fall forum on Friday, November 30, at 4 p.m. in the Rockford College Starr Science Building, room 207, 5050 E. State St., Speaking for the event is John Gamber, Ph.D., an expert on Native American Heritage from Columbia University in New York.

Dr. Gamber received his B.A., from the University of California, Davis, M.A. from California State University, Fullerton (both in Comparative Literature), and his Ph.D., (English) from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Dr. Gamber’s research interests in ethnic and literary studies include ecocriticism, transnationalism, immigration, relocation, American Indian, Asian American, African American, and Chicana/o and Latina/o literatures, and literature of the Americas.

Dr. Gamber will observe Native American Heritage Month (November) as a cultural event in the United States. He will relate Native American culture to his book project by asking the questions, “What do Native people and the colonial state stand to gain from this tradition?”, “In what ways are these gains complimentary?” and “In what ways are they contradictory?” Dr. Gamber will also devote attention to contemporary portrayals, images and stereotypes of Native people and nations.

Admission is free, however a ticket is required. Contact the Rockford College Box Office,
815-226-4100 for tickets. To see the fall 2012 Forum Series line-up visit: https://www.rockford.edu/?ForumSeries

For immediate release: 11/12/12
Contact the Rockford College Box Office: 815-226-4100

An exhibition featuring the work of graduating Rockford College art majors will show from November 30 through December 12, 2012 at the Rockford College Art Gallery, Clark Arts Center located at 5050 East State Street, Rockford. The opening reception will be held on Friday, November 30, from 5-7:30 p.m.

The artwork is a culmination of the students’ search to develop an individual voice and direction in the world. Students go outside the box to share a viewpoint of current culture and society, life in Rockford, and the optimism and cynicism of times ahead. Artists include Rett Calomino (Belvidere, Ill.), Mai Harmon (South Beloit, Ill.), Alyssa Oberg (Rockton, Ill.) and Priscilla Rivas (Loves Park, Ill.).

Gallery Hours are Tuesday – Friday, 3–6 p.m. and by appointment.

The Exhibition is free and open to the public. Clark Arts Center is handicap accessible. For more information, contact the Rockford College Box Office at 815-226-4100 or visit the website at https://www.rockford.edu/?ArtGallery.

For immediate release – 10/23/12
Director of Communications Rita Elliott, 815-226-3374

For the 9th consecutive year, Rockford College has been named as one of the best colleges in the Midwest by the Princeton Review, a New York-based firm that specializes in resources on colleges for prospective students.

Rockford College is one of 153 colleges that The Princeton Review has chosen to feature on the “Best in the Midwest” section of their website “2013 Best Colleges: Region by Region.” The feature is available at: http://www.princetonreview.com/best-regional-colleges.aspx and identifies schools that Princeton Review recommends as “regional bests” across four locales: the Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, and West. Out of 633 schools nationwide that received the regional designations from The Princeton Review, Only 25 percent (or one out of four) of the nation’s 2,500 four-year colleges are represented in the regional “best colleges” category.

From hundreds of institutions, Princeton Review reviewed in each region, they selected colleges and universities primarily for their excellent academic programs. They also took into account what students attending the schools reported about their campus experiences.

For immediate release – October 11, 2012
Director of Communications Rita Elliott, 815-226-3374

Rockford, Ill., – Noted author Pete Earley will speak about mental health in America as a part of the Rockford College forum series on Thursday, October 25, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. Clark Arts Center, Maddox Theatre, 5050 East State Street, on the Rockford College campus.

Pete Earley is an author and former Washington Post reporter who has written 13 books including the New York Times bestseller “The Hot House” and the 2007 Pulitzer Prize finalist, “Crazy: A Father’s Search Through America’s Mental Health Madness.” Earley’s account of the John Walker spy ring, “Family of Spies,” was a New York Times bestseller and CBS mini-series. “The Hot House: Life Inside Leavenworth Prison” was based on a year that Earley spent inside a maximum security federal prison as an author.

His advocacy for strong mental health reform on the public stage has taken him to 46 different states and multiple countries around the globe where he delivers speeches to rally against the troubled mental health systems and for the mentally ill following struggles with the system on behalf of his son.

Tickets are free but required. The Clark Arts Center is accessible. Contact the Rockford College Box Office at 815-226-4100 for questions or tickets.

To see the fall 2012 Forum Series line-up visit: https://www.rockford.edu/?ForumSeries.